Queensland residents evacuated

The Queensland government has asked for army helicopters to be sent in, with the state in the grip of an unfolding flood crisis. The flood levels in Bundaberg are expected to exceed the 2010 levels.

The body of an elderly man has been recovered from floodwaters in Bundaberg, in what is the first recorded death due to the floods. Police have fears for a 27-year-old man who is still missing from Gympie.

Cities and towns along the central Queensland coast are flooding as the low pressure system that was cyclone Oswald batters the south east corner of the state with cyclonic winds and torrential rain.

Releases from dams that protect the cities of Brisbane and Ipswich are continuing, with falls of up to 300mm expected over the next 24 hours.

Destructive winds gusting to 60 knots are also expected.

Forecasters are expecting conditions "comparable to a high category one cyclone" with wind gusts of 60 knots, or 125kph, in the southeast corner over the next day.

The low pressure system is expected to be over the Sunshine Coast this afternoon, Brisbane by this evening, and the Gold Coast by late on Sunday night or early on Monday.

It will then move across the border into northern NSW.

The bureau's Queensland weather services manager Richard Wardle says there's a strong chance of more tornadoes like the six that caused severe damage in the Bundaberg region on Saturday and Sunday.

In the state's southeast corner, falls of between 200 and 300mm are expected but that could reach 400mm in some locations, Dr Wardle said.

The central Queensland cities of Gladstone, Bundaberg and Gympie are all experiencing widespread flooding.

There have been dramatic rescues across the region, including in Gympie where the mayor says people had been rescued from rooftops.

There are grave fears for at least one man who remains missing after trying to cross a flooded creek near Gympie on Sunday morning.

Residents of north Bundaberg are being ordered to leave their homes immediately, the ABC reported at midday (AEST), with fears 300 homes will flood and those that don't to be left isolated.

Some residents in south and east Bundaberg also being told to leave, the ABC said.

The Queensland government has asked for army helicopters to be sent in to help, the ABC reported.

And Premier Campbell Newman has called on Prime Minister Julia Gillard to say the state will need help to deal with a crisis spanning many communities simultaneously.

Mr Newman said it was highly likely the army would be called on for more support, particularly in the clean-up phase.

"I know she and her government will provide the support we need," Mr Newman told reporters in the tornado hit community of Bargara near Bundaberg.

"The challenge now is that we've got multiple events going on."

QUEENSLAND'S 2013 FLOOD CRISIS

BUNDABERG

- The body of an elderly man was recovered from floodwaters earlier today

- North Bundaberg being evacuated after the Burnett River broke its banks on Sunday

- Up to 100 homes and businesses already flooded

- Fears up to 200 other properties could go under

- Disaster declaration now covers most low-lying suburbs of the city

- Burnett River is now expected to peak at 9 metres sometime on Sunday; the peak in 2010/11 floods was 7.5 metres